Expected cut offs for CLAT 2017 by CLAT mentor Rajneesh Singh

CLAT Mentor Rajneesh Singh takes us through the expected cut offs for the CLAT 2017 examination. He also advises candidates on how to approach the coming few days.

Why do I do this every year?

I started almost 14 years ago, but for CLAT it started in 2009. In 2008, after NLSIU had closed its admissions after a third list, there were still many seats vacant. Those were filled up later individually by various NLUs taking out their own lists or the way they wanted to. I remember the majority did not know about the same. This gave an advantage to those informed or had proximity to an institution.

This is not the only matter of concern, there are many other problems including marking the preference list wrongly. Many pay the price for such mistakes.

I had two choices: either to start educating the masses or to keep this system on and extend help only to the close ones.

But, I took the decision to keep educating CLAT takers and their parents. Today, I am happy to see that CLAT has become the most transparent entrance test of India. No other exam has such detailed listing coming out and everyone knows the details of each admission. Even while filling up for the vacant seats, respective NLUs are almost fully transparent.

I have been running CLAT/NLU/LAW online forumssince 2007 and I have been in test prep guidance since 2000.

I have always seen that there is a lot of anxiety, among the exam takers after the exam, for assessing where they stand. And I know that predicting the cut-offs, after doing scientific research, settles the minds of students.

I am sure it also helps to take some decisions. The exam takers must believe that the expected cut off cannot be exactly accurate. Also, my predicted marks cut off may fluctuate a little, but rank cut off will be surely almost the same. After the rank list is out, CLAT takers can take this rank cut off list as a guiding note.

I also do this because it also helps me to get extremely well prepared and informed about all the complex data. This helps me when I have to answer thousands of queries after the result is out.

How do I predict the cut-off?

For CLAT 2009 and 2010, my predictions were almost perfect. In 2013, it was exactly the same. It was a pleasant surprise for me. I am sure in 2013 it was coincidental. Yes, I am always 95% sure that my expected cut off (marks) will be correct within an error of 4 marks. Yes, the rank cut off which I predict is not only of immense use but I am also 98% sure with little error.

In 2014, I failed by a good margin (there were irregularities). In 2015, I only did the rank cut off, as there were many errors. In 2016, my cut off for top 3 was exactly the same but from Bhopal to Patiala it fluctuated by 3 to 5 marks. Apart from that, it was quite close to the actual one.

These help in doing the analysis and the predictions:

My experience helps (17 years in test prep with exposure to more than 50 different types of exams and the related students)

Database of past year results

The trends.

The variation of the density of the tied marks at different level

Time constraint (this year there was hardly any)

Changes in difficulty level and number of seats

Number of easy questions and how fast the difficulty level has increased with the rest of the questions

And of course, my students, from where I get the data and feelings. The feelings/expressions are the best resource. As I always say the students who are my teachers keep me under constant innovation and keep me motivated. Yes, they are my mentors.

What should a CLAT 2017 candidate do now?

Enjoy these few days. Your schedule after you enter law school is likely to be very hectic.

Do collect all relevant information regarding admissions

Take these predictions as a helping tool keeping in mind that this is not the exact one.

The rank cut off will be very helpful especially after the results.

Do keep yourself well informed about the admission process. Do not hesitate to call the NLUs if required.

You can post your queries here. I will answer.

How is the CLAT 2017 admission process expected to progress?

Final result with ranks is expected to come out on May 29. Likely to come a little earlier.

Then the first list of all 18 NLUs will be out on June 5. This will be prepared according to the preference list and your rank. (Do not panic if last NLU cut off is higher than expectation. You may get a seat. It keeps falling till the fourth list and even after the centralized counselling is over, many seats gets vacated after July 6). Most of the seats of bottom 4 NLUs are filled after July 6, when the centralised process is over and NLUs take care of the admissions themselves. HNLU had 12 and NUJS had 11 seats vacant in 2012. So, keep a close eye at the NLU websites. This happens because many leave for joining some other course or for other reasons before the semester starts in first week/second week of July.

If you are listed in the first list then you will be asked to deposit (50k) the amount to confirm the booking of the seat (by June 8). Approximately 300 people are expected not to deposit the amount.

Now, the next 300 will get a chance in the second list. There will be upgradations too (from a lower preferred ranked college to higher preferred college) according to the rank and preference list.

Similarly, third list will come.

You will be instructed to take admission at the allotted NLUs on June 24-25. 60-120 seats are likely to get vacated. This will be taken care in the fourth list. If required, students will be transferred to the upgraded NLUs.

On July 6, centralised admission process will close.

Vacant seats will arise in many NLU after July 6. For this keep visiting the respective NLU websites.

Note – There will be a deadline to request for a refund of 50000 booking amount. Keep a watch on that.

Is the upgradation process to higher preferred ranked college also for those candidates​ who deposit their counseling fee?
Shall i get any upgradation to higher preferred ranked college after i deposit my counseling fee?

Sir, i scored 118.25 in the earlier list so if for example i get selected in the first list in NLUJ and deposit 50k by june 8 then do i lose my chance to get upgraded to a higher ranked college in the second, third and fourth lists. ? Also if seats are vacant in say NUJS AFTER july 6 will the depositing of 50k on june 8 mean i lose a chance on a higher ranked college ?

Sir,
The CLAT application form is insisting to select all the NLUs in a particular preferences. I mean the application process allow us to go forward only if all the NLUs preferances are selected. Later, if a candidate is allotted in a NLU he need to deposit 50k to stay in fray for 2nd,3rd or 4thlists. Ultimately if a candidate withdraws from the fray, then an amount of 10k would be deducted and only 40 k would be refunded.

If a candidate is given a chance to choose only his choice of preferences at the time of the application time, then it would be proper to fine him if the candidate withdraws after allotment. Its totally not justifiable on one side to insist to select all the NLUs in a order of preferences,and on the other side insist to pay 10k if he do not take the allotted NLU.

Sir, my son just finished his 10 standard wants to pursue career in Law. So I want to put him right from now in order to prepare him for the CLAT 2019. Hence I request yourself please send me the procedure for taking your guidance class online/offline if any to my below mentioned email address.

Hello sir!
I’ve scored 65.75 in SC catagory. MY 3rd preference was TNNLU followed by MNLU ( both mumbai and nagpur) Vizag NLU. If i remember right Kochin was my Last 3rd or 4th prefrence! Im fine with any NLU across India .
Will I make it up to any one of them preferably in South Trichy, Kochin or Vizag?

Respected sir,
Last year mnlu nagpur closed at rank of 2600 and is one of the dynamic nlu among all. Its growth is faster than many nlu’s that u had our above it in your prediction.. So tell the reason behind the reasoning of putting mnlu nagpur at this low spot ☺

good evening sir.sir,i scored 96.50 in clat 2017.im from general category.which nlu can i expect after 2nd list and also after 6th july…Is there any possible chance of getting admission in RGNLU,PATIALA.thankyou for all your help sir.

No. Grace marks would not to be awarded at any cost.Many students have filed an objection for the wrong questions. I hope you have done the same. A correct answer key is going to be published on 25.05.17 after 10 pm . Your score will automatically get increased if the solution given earlier was wrong. An additional of 0.25 marks will be awarded for those questions which you have marked as right and the answer given as wrong. But the point that is needed to be understood here is that there would’nt be much of a difference in ranks as the marks for wrong questions would be awarded to everybody. CHEERS.
ALL THE BEST.

Sir I have scored 113 in CLAT – 17. I have a domicile of Madhya Pradesh and i’m expecting an increment of 4.25 marks if the errors are accepted and corrected by the CLAT committee. Which makes my score 117.25. Do i have any chance of getting admission into NLIU bhopal, NLU jodhpur,NLU gandhinagar?

Sir, i scored 105 in the
earlier list so if for example i
get selected in the first list in any
NLU and deposit 50k by
june 8 then do i lose my
chance to get upgraded to a
higher ranked college in the
second, third and fourth
lists. ? Also if seats are
vacant in say NLU AFTER
july 6 will the depositing of
50k on june 8 mean i lose a
chance on a higher ranked
college ?

Sir, i scored 105 in the
earlier list for pg so if for example i
get selected in the first list in any
NLU and deposit 50k by
june 8 then do i lose my
chance to get upgraded to a
higher ranked college in the
second, third and fourth
lists. ? Also if seats are
vacant in say top NLU AFTER
july 6 will the depositing of
50k on june 8 mean i lose a
chance on a higher ranked
college ?

Sir as per answer key published I scored 97 marks in CLAT 2017 under general category , can you suggest what NLU may call me for admission.
While you know that there were error in question paper and when I saw our 03 answer not saved due to technical / computer fault while my answers were right.

Sir I’m a general candidate from Delhi. My score after the revised answer key is 103.75. What is the best NLU that I can expect I’ll get into? Also NLU mubai closed at 466 last year, but here you are saying that it can go as low as 1050. How? Looking forward to your reply.

I am unable to view answer key. It says wrong credentials provided. May I know if there is any other way by which I could the same? Please let me know.
Or it shall really be helpful if you provide me with a link.
I have been trying to put my email id as well as password/forgot password, nothing is working out for me.
Kind regards,

Hi Karthik, could you please help me know how can I check the aswer key to understand my marks? I had given the exam on 21st May 2017. I am unable to access the answer key link. Please help.
Kind regards,

sir, my daughter has secured 92.75 marks in CLAT,but in revised answer key her marks reduced to 90.75.in revised answer key her 2 questions are shown wrong. so it should be max.92.25.
Simultaneously out of dropped 4 questions her 2 answer were right.
please advise what we should in the situation.

Hey Bar & Bench we have too many questions. Can you please do a live webchat? Or maybe do a series of articles? First there is the headache of cut off. Then there is the headache of choosing the right law school and non-NLU, and the correct ranking to follow.

Sir I have got 34.6 round off to 35 in CLAT. So sir is there any chance to get admission in anny of NLUs . I’m not getting any clear path what to do will I wait till last counselling or will search for other colleges. Plz sir suggest me what to do .

Sir I have 2 questions.
1. I got 110.75 in CLAT. Is there any chance that I can get admission in MNLU munbai.?
2. I got 78th serial number in AILET in the common merit list. Can i get admission in NLU Delhi?

Sir I have 95.25 in clat’17…do I have a chance anywhere (in nlu)?? If yes, then how will i get to know about it? Also my date of birth is 01-06-1998..will I be eligible for Clat next year?? Also what is the expected last cutoff of HPNLU?

Sir NLU Guwahati is accepting people of 6000 AIR dat too from the AI Unreserved category. Ur data says only 1700 AIR will be alloted to dat college
How come they’re accepting people with an all India rank of 6000?

Sir, my CLAT score is 94.5 & Rank 3471.
Should I wait for admission in any NLU or proceed with admission in a Pvt. Law institution.
Time is running out. Pvt. Law College counselling has started.
I have also given LSAT & have scored 83.96. Please guide me which are the best colleges under it.